Austrian Alps

Austria

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Austrian Alps Travel Information

The Basics

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2, Apr - Oct)

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are standard.

Language

The official language in Austria is German.

Travel Health

No vaccinations are necessary for business visits or general
tourism in Austria. There is, however, a risk of tick-borne
encephalitis for long-term visitors who expect to be visiting rural
or forested areas in spring or summer. These travellers should
consider vaccination and ensure they take precautions against tick
infestation. Water and food are safe. Medical facilities are
excellent. Medical insurance is advised unless from the UK -
citizens of EU countries can get free emergency medical treatment
at public hospitals in Austria on production of a European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC).

Tipping

A 10-15 percent service charge is normally added to hotel and
restaurant bills in Austria, but it is customary to leave another
five percent if satisfied with the service. It is common to give
the money to the waiter rather than leave it on the table, but
leaving small change for other service personnel is fine. Taxi
drivers expect a 10 percent tip.

Safety Information

Travel to Austria is generally trouble-free; however, visitors
are advised to take sensible safety precautions, particularly in
larger cities.

Local Customs

It is compulsory that vehicles are driven with their lights on
throughout the year. Smoking is not allowed in many public
places.

Business

Business protocol is very important in Austria and business is
formal, structured and conservative, more so than many other
Western European countries. All correspondence, such as faxes and
emails, should be formal. Dress is conservative, yet elegant;
Austrians take great pride in their appearance and a good quality,
well-fitting suit for men and women should be worn to make a good
first impression. Austrians are also very title-conscious: always
use last names with a preceding title such as Herr (Mr), Frau (Mrs)
or Fräulein (Miss), along with their professional or academic
title where applicable (e.g. Herr Professor Kaufmann). It is vital
to arrive punctually for meetings and to be thoroughly prepared, as
meetings are brief and to the point. Be prepared to engage in
preliminary small talk, including a knowledge of current affairs,
before getting down to business. English is widely spoken in
business, but printed literature should be in German if possible.
Offices open at 8am and close promptly at 5pm Monday to Friday.

Communications

The international access code for Austria is +43. Public
telephone boxes can be used for direct dial calls within the
country and overseas. Austria's mobile phone coverage is good, and
internet cafes are widely available.

Duty Free

Travellers from non-EU countries over 17 years are allowed to
bring in the following items without paying customs duty: 200
cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking
tobacco, or a proportional mix of these products; 2 litres wine, or
1 litre of spirits with alcohol content more than 22%, or 2 litres
of alcohol volume less than 22%; 60ml perfume and 250ml eau de
toilette; and other goods to a total value of €175.
Restricted items include pornographic material and fresh foodstuffs
such as meat and dairy products. Travellers must have a European
Firearms Pass if travelling with firearms.

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